The following day's training consisted of indoor lessons on Titans and their anatomical weak points.
The 104th cadet instructor had been prattling along about things Amelia had learned months ago, and her mind raced with everything but Titans as her leg ceaselessly shook from beneath her desk. She itched for the chance to get back outside on the training field, and found herself restless as she wondered exactly when the lesson would end. She felt homesick when she wasn't able to distract her mind with physical exercise, and thought the anxiety in the pit of her stomach to be nauseating.
Thoughts of her mother, Erwin, her dog, and her brothers filled her head, and she sighed halfheartedly whilst dropping her cheek into her hand. Her gaze hung on the window beside her desk, watching aimlessly as other trainees roamed the grounds of camp. Light clouds filled the sky, hinting a summer downpour, and the trees rustled gently in the humid breeze.
"Miss Delaney," the sound of her instructor's voice made her jump in her seat, and she quickly turned her head to see his impatient gaze. "Perhaps you can answer this one."
Amelia blinked, suddenly blushing as every other trainee in the room looked at her. "Pardon, sir."
"Where is a Titan's weak spot located? And can you tell me the exact measurements that are required to effectively kill one?" He asked thereafter, arms crossed as he looked at her pointedly.
"The nape of the neck, sir," she replied without missing a beat. "Exactly ten centimeters deep and a meter across."
"Alright," he continued whilst turning fully to face her. "How about this. What are the Titans made of that makes them anatomically weak against ODM swords despite their superhuman strength?"
"That's a trick question," Amelia said. "No one knows for sure, but it's theorized that Titans operate by heating gas and expanding a carbon-fiber-esque polymer. These fibers are weak in terms of shear strength, which is why their limbs and such are so easily severed by simple ODM gear."
Her instructor narrowed his eyes at her as he hummed. "Very good."
Amelia released a breath of relief when he turned to address the other side of the room, and shot Jean a scowl as he snickered about her being called out whilst elbowing him in the side.
"That concludes the lesson for the day," their instructor announced as he erased the chalkboard. "You are all dismissed."
Amelia quickly gathered her books and followed at Jean and Marco's heels on their way out of the room.
"Miss Delaney," her instructor's voice reared her to a halt, and she quickly looked over her shoulder from her place standing in the doorway. He didn't look at her as he slid a stack of papers into a folder. "Can I speak with you for a moment?"
Amelia shot a nervous glance toward Marco and Jean, — whom also stopped upon her beckon —and they both offered her a shrug. She scowled at them as they walked away.
"Of course, sir." Amelia said whilst inching a bit further into the room. She anxiously fiddled with the loose threat on the spine of her book.
"You're familiar with Karanes District, correct?" He asked. He looked at her over the rim of his glasses.
"Yes," Amelia nodded. "My mother has a house there."
"So you know where the Eastern Divisional Scout Regiment HQ is, then?" He asked thereafter.
"Yes, sir." Amelia nodded again.
"Very well, I have a task for you," he said. He handed her the folder. "I need you to deliver these to the Scouts base in Karanes before dark."
"I see," Amelia said. "Can I ask why the Scouts HQ specifically?"
"It's the closest military base to our location," her instructor spoke as he began to scribble something on the chalkboard. "From there it will be delivered to where it needs to go."
"Would it be alright if I took someone with me?"
"I suppose," he said. "You have to be back before curfew, so no messing around."
"Of course, sir," Amelia saluted him briefly. "I'll head out right away."
Her instructor hummed in acknowledgement before she scampered out of the room. Her excitement to be visiting home so soon into training rose in her chest, and she sprinted through the courtyard toward the watch tower on the other side of camp.
"Annie!" Amelia beamed as she reached the top of the tower. Annie quickly looked over her shoulder upon her entry. "Wanna come to Karanes with me?"
"Why're you going to Karanes?" Annie asked. She appeared to be confused as Amelia buzzed before her.
"I have to deliver these reports to the Scouts' Commander before dark," Amelia explained as she held up the reports in question. "And the instructor guy said I could bring someone, sooo..."
Amelia trailed off as she gestured to Annie. She didn't look amused.
"I'm on watch," Annie said, avoiding Amelia's eye. "Why don't you take Marco?"
"Aw you're really gonna stay up here on boring watch when you can run errands off base with me?" Amelia pouted. Annie rolled her eyes.
"Sorry." Annie offered her a blank look.
"What happened to you thinking all of this was crap?" Amelia put her hands on her hips and frowned.
"It is crap," Annie justified as she turned her back to Amelia to look out into the distance. "I'm just not interested in traveling all that way to deliver one folder full of information that doesn't even matter."
Amelia couldn't help but huff at her attitude and settled with turning back toward the stairs she had climbed previously. "Fine. I'll see you later."
Amelia left without another word, and commenced in her hunt for Marco. She had come to discover that he was tucked away in one of the several trainee archives with Armin, and when she arrived, she slammed the door open so hard that it startled the both of them.
"Marco!" She declared whilst pointing at him. "Come with me to Karanes!"
"Okay," Marco and Armin exchanged amused looks. "What for?"
"Our instructor guy gave me these reports to deliver to the Scouts' Commander before dark," Amelia summarized whilst bobbing up and down on the soles of her feet. "And he said I can bring someone."
"If we wanna get there before dark we oughta head out now," Marco advised as he stood. He turned to Armin. "Ah, sorry, I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not!" Armin waved it off with a smile. "Have fun!"
"Bye, Armin." Amelia offered him a grin, and Marco waved in farewell as the duo left the room.
"So, big job," Marco said as they left base. "Do you think he asked you because you're familiar with the Eastern Division?"
"That's exactly why, actually," Amelia said. She radiated excitement. "I bet my mom and uncle will be there, and I know the Commander personally, too."
"Is that right?" Marco seemed surprised. "How do you know him?"
"Umm," Amelia pressed a finger to her chin, pretending to think. "Funny story, actually. He's been shagging my mom for months now."
"What?"
Marco stopped dead in his tracks, and Amelia couldn't stop the cackle that fought it's way out of her as she turned to look at his mortified face.
"I'm kidding," she laughed and wiped a tear from her eye. "It's not as perverted as it sounds. They're a couple, but it's hush-hush since he's the Commander. Not a lot of people know about it."
Marco audibly exhaled in relief. "Oh. Jeez, Amelia, you almost gave me a heart attack."
"I like to keep things interesting," she snickered joyfully. "It's too bad you have your heart set on the MPs, though. I think you coulda really fit in with the Scouts."
"I'll be honest, the thought of that is really scary," Marco confessed as they made it to town. "I mean, I'm fully devoted to serving the king, but a small part of me is also doing it to get as far away from the Titans as possible. I know that sounds cowardly..."
"If anyone said they weren't afraid of the Titans, they'd be lying," Amelia shook her head in disagreement. "And there's nothing wrong with that. I don't think it makes you a coward. I think preserving your life and becoming an MP makes you smart!"
"You really think so?" Marco's cheeks reddened at her sentiment. She grinned at him.
"Of course," she said, sounding sure of herself. "You shouldn't listen to Jean when he's giving you a hard time, either. He only does that cuz he's got the same idea, he's just not as content with the thought of people perceiving him as someone who could or could not be a coward. I think it all depends on a person's mindset, anyway."
"You have a point," Marco smiled as he spoke. "Thanks for that, really."
"No need to thank me!" Amelia said as they approached the border leading into the neighboring District. "Come on, we'd better hurry. I'm real excited for you to meet everyone!"
__________
It took Amelia and Marco three hours to make it to Karanes, and Amelia picked up her pace as she dragged Marco through town by the wrist.
They laughed and talked together as they ran, and Marco didn't seem to mind Amelia's giddiness. It didn't take them long to reach the woods that separated town from the Scouts HQ, and only when it could be seen through the tree line did Amelia break off into a sprint.
The pair slowed to a walk as they entered the precipice of base, and Marco watched as Amelia's eyes quickly flicked around for any sight of a familiar face.
"Brutus!" Amelia suddenly shouted upon turning to the left. Marco followed her gaze to see that a tall black haired man was already approaching them, followed by several other people.
"Ama, is that you?" Brutus McManus caught Amelia as she jumped into his open arms. "Wow! I almost didn't recognize you!"
Marco lingered behind her as he smiled awkwardly, and watched silently as the other nameless Scouts surrounded her.
"I thought we weren't gonna get to see you for a couple months," Brutus said as he set her down. "What brings you back so soon?"
"I have reports for Erwin," Amelia looked smug as she held up her folder. "I get special jobs since I know all of you sorry slackers."
"Is that right?" Brutus couldn't help but laugh, and as he looked up, he noticed Marco. "And whose this? Your boyfriend?"
"No! This is Marco," Amelia rolled her eyes as Marco's widened at the question. She gestured to him as she spoke. "Marco, this is Brutus McManus, my mom's right hand man!"
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Marco offered his hand. Brutus shook it.
"Likewise, friend," Brutus had a bright smile on his face as he motioned toward his comrades. "You almost got all of Elite Advancement in one place. Marco, these are Monica, Logan, Quinn, Nick, Eli, and Lance. We're just missing Silica, our infamous captain."
Brutus had gestured to everyone individually as he spoke, and Marco shared a brief hello with all of them.
"I'm sure we'll find Mom on our way to Erwin," Amelia assured. She was practically vibrating from her place beside Marco. "Speaking of, we should probably start heading over there. We have to make it back to Trost before dark."
"Best get a move on, kiddo," Brutus said as he and Amelia shared another brief hug. "It was good to see you, and good to meet you, Marco. Take care on your way back to Trost."
Amelia and Marco offered their farewells as they all went their separate ways, and Amelia led the way toward the main HQ building on base.
"Everyone on your mother's squad is a lot nicer than I anticipated," Marco said as they walked. "I don't know why, but every story I hear of them makes them sound really intimidating."
"I mean, they are," Amelia reasoned with a shrug. "They're all really nice people, it's their skill that makes them seem a little scary. Elite Advancement is full of some of the greatest Scouts the regiment has ever seen. I really can't wait to see them in action some day!"
"I can't wait to hear you recount about it," Marco smiled warmly at her enthusiasm. "I'm happy to have gone with you, Ama. It's great seeing where you came from."
"This is the only place I'm from that matters." Amelia said with an affirming nod, and the look in her eye made Marco quirk a curious brow.
However, before he could press her for anything else, they had arrived at the doors leading into Commander Erwin's office.
"Alright," Amelia said as she turned to Marco. She had the trainee reports hugged to her chest. "You ready?"
"Yes!" Marco sounded confident, and with that, Amelia rose her first and knocked on the door.
"Come in." Erwin's voice could be heard from the other side, and Amelia slowly pushed the door open whilst peeking her head inside the room.
She could see that Erwin was busy reading something at his desk, and smiled widely as she motioned for Marco to follow her into the office. He did so without a word, and Erwin neglected to look up from his work as they approached his desk.
"I have a delivery of reports from the Southern Division Trainee Corp, Commander." Amelia's voice elicited Erwin to look up within an instant, and his eyes grew wide at the sight of her as he stood up.
"Amelia," his voice sounded softer as he spoke her name, and he rounded his desk to envelop her into a hug. "What in the world are you doing here?"
"My instructor asked me to deliver these to you before dark," Amelia said once they parted. She handed him her folder. "So here I am!"
She puffed her chest out as she spoke, and Erwin couldn't help but laugh gently before turning his attention to Marco.
"And whose this?"
"This is Marco Bott," she said as she linked their elbows. "He's a really good friend of mine, and the first person I met on the first day of training."
"Very nice," Erwin smiled as he offered Marco a hand. He gave it a firm shake as he choked down his nerves. "I am Erwin Smith. I'm glad you could befriend Amelia."
"She's great, sir!" Marco said stiffly. Erwin smiled understandingly again.
"Your mother will be displeased if you don't visit her before you go." Erwin said as he turned back to Amelia.
"We ran into Elite Advancement on our way in, but I haven't seen her yet." Amelia explained.
"You can find her in the weight room with Levi." Erwin advised as he moved to sit back down.
"Oh, great, they're in one place!" Amelia clapped her hands together before grabbing Marco by the wrist again. "Thanks, Erwin. I'll try to come visit again real soon!"
He offered a wave as they left, and Amelia wasted no time in dragging Marco across base for the third time in search of her mother.
The sight of the woman in question could be seen as they approached the weight room. She appeared to be partaking in a spar with the notorious Captain Levi, and hadn't noticed them yet as Amelia came to a stop.
She gave Marco a look before cupping her hands around her mouth, and with a hefty inhale, she shouted:
"Moooom! Leviiii!"
The two stopped immediately upon hearing their names, and simultaneously turned their heads in their direction. Silica's eyes visibly widened at the sight of them, and she didn't hesitate to run up to them with her arms open for Amelia.
Amelia took off in her own sprint, and collided with her mother at top speed. Silica spun them around in a circle once she caught her, and Marco remained in his place standing a few feet away.
Amelia's resemblance to her mother — and even Levi — was uncanny, and he found himself in awe of the whole interaction. He could tell just how much Amelia was valued among the Scouts, and found himself a little comforted at the prospect — given that he wouldn't be able to follow her into the regiment. He felt melancholic thinking about the day they would go their separate ways.
"Mom, Levi, there's someone really important I want you to meet," Amelia was saying as she took the both of them by the hand, leading them up to Marco. "This is my good friend Marco Bott. Marco, this is my mom, Silica, and my uncle, Levi."
Unlike the others he had come to meet, Silica and Levi both stared at him with identical squinty expressions. It made an intense anxious sick settle in the pit of his stomach. He didn't know whether to say something or to turn around and run back to training camp.
"Come on, guys, you're freaking him out!" Amelia discouraged with a frown. "He's just a friend."
Silica hummed at that, and with one more once over of Marco, she finally offered him her hand.
"It's nice to meet you, Marco." She said, though her tone lacked any warmth. It only worsened Marco's anxiety as he hesitantly shook her hand. Her grip was exceptionally firm, and he winced.
"Sound a little more excited, jeez." Amelia rolled her eyes.
"How's training going?" Levi asked to change the subject. Amelia wordlessly thanked him.
"Training is great! A breeze, really," Amelia nudged Marco with her elbow. "Isn't that right, Marco? Easy peasy."
"R-right! Yeah, it's been... uh, fine," Marco struggled to get his words out as sweat began to form on his brow. Amelia said those in Elite Advancement were all nice people, but with the way her mother looked at him, he doubted her words. He feared that one wrong move would make her pounce. "Amelia is really something."
"The hell does that mean?" Silica scowled at him. His heart skipped a beat.
"Easy, Silica," Levi palmed her shoulder. "You'll make him crap his pants."
"Oh, jeez, Mom, he just thinks I'm talented," Amelia facepalmed. "Relax!"
"I really mean no harm..." Marco tried to sound convincing.
Silica's scowl reminded him a lot of Amelia's, except this time it felt as though it was piercing into his flesh. She had such an imposing presence that it made him understand why she was so well respected. He wondered then if the Scouts would harden Amelia in the same way.
"Oh! I know!" Amelia declared as she stepped between Marco and her mother. "Do you remember those three kids we ran into in town last year?"
"Sure." Silica nodded.
"Well, turns out they weren't kidding about joining the Scouts!" Amelia sounded excited again. "They wound up in the same trainee division as me. I'm helping that Eren kid with his ODM work once real training starts next week."
"Who?" Levi looked perplexed whilst Silica's eyes lit up in recognition.
"No kidding," Silica crossed her arms as her posture relaxed. Marco released a relieved breath. "I shouldn't say I'm surprised. That kid had a fire lit under him."
"He hasn't changed much, either," Amelia found the spirit to laugh. "I think it'll be a lot of fun to help him out."
"Don't fall behind on your own work while you're helping everyone else." Silica looked at her pointedly.
"Wouldn't dream of it," Amelia said reassuringly. "You've got nothing to worry about, promise!"
"You two should probably start heading back to Trost," Levi gestured toward the sun that hung over the Wall in the distance. "It'll be dark soon."
"Don't send her away so quickly." Silica frowned at him.
"He's right," Amelia sighed as she hugged them both. "Wouldn't wanna give Shadis a reason to herniate himself by us missing curfew."
Silica snickered at that and pinched Amelia's nose once they parted. "Alright. You'd better come visit us again soon. It's not the same without you."
"I promise I will," Amelia assured as she turned to leave. "Bye! See you again soon!"
Silica and Levi rose slack hands as they left, and Amelia immediately turned to Marco once they were out of her mother's earshot.
"I'm really sorry about that," Amelia sounded sheepish as she palmed the back of her neck. "Talk about embarrassing. They're both just really protective."
"I can tell," Marco laughed quietly. "It's okay though, I understand why they're that way. I can tell you're really important to them."
"I like to think so."
"Do you not?"
His question made Amelia come to a stop. The soft breeze from that morning filtered through them as Marco stared at her, and the sun reflected off the top of her head in a way that really complimented how red her hair really was. In that moment he realized how pretty she could be off the training field.
"I know that I'm important to them," she finally broke the silence when she met his stare. "I just worry, since I'll be a Scout too. Their chances of losing me are gonna be the chances I've had to lose them. I know how crummy that feels."
"I think it's better to live a life doing everything you want to do, instead of stifling anything out of fear," Marco reasoned as he took a step toward her. "If you ever consider pushing them — or anyone close to you — away, I really hope you don't."
Amelia smiled softly at his words. "That's a nice way to look at it. I like the way you think."
Marco blushed at her praise, and fell into step with her as she continued in their journey back to Trost District; appearing completely unaware of Marco's busy mind.